October

October has been a very busy and exciting month!

TJ decorated 5 Little Pumpkins - just like his current favorite book "Five Little Pumpkins".

Ghost Dancing!

TJ ran in his first race. A one mile family fun run to support the local elementary school. TJ did a great job and ran a 20 minute mile with Jonathan. He was the youngest runner!

TJ decided coconut La Croix water is his absolute favorite

TJ's third Pride Parade

ABCs in "baby voice" and "monster voice"

Maybe the most exciting part of October (after Halloween of course) is that TJ was old enough to start Fall soccer! He absolutely loves it!

And finally Halloween...

E: TJ what would you like to be for Halloween? 

TJ: ScooDoo Dog. No, Velma

E: Ok you can wear orange and glasses like Mommy.

TJ: No... wanna be TJ

E: Well we wear costumes on Halloween and dress up

TJ: ScooDoo Dog, Velma, Max Wild thing, Rain, AND a TJ

one week later...

E: TJ would you still like to be Scooby Doo for Halloween?

TJ: No Ghost Rain

A few days later..

E: TJ what would you like to be for Halloween?

TJ: Ghost Rain

So here is "Ghost Rain"!!!

He is wearing a ghost shirt under his rain coat - that is how his costume is "Ghost Rain"!!!

Samson also needed a costume (which he was mostly ok with)...

And TJ won best costume in the under 4 category!!! 

He won a gift certificate to a local coffee shop - because caffeine is what every 2.5 year old needs :)

Halloween

It was one year ago when TJ, E, and J moved into the new house- what an exciting year it has been! This year instead of unpacking boxes (not that there aren't a few left to still do), everyone got to enjoy the neighborhood festivities.

TJ's best buddies at school.

Killer bee!

 The best lollipop TJ has ever had (ok its also the first one...)

 The whole walk home - it was "mmmmm mmmmmm mmmm" 

mmmmm..... (definitely a fan of candy!)

Halloween is great!

This was a picture from the Gay Pride parade a couple of weeks ago- Cute babies get the best swag!

Apple Picking!

TJ turned 18 months old yesterday, so to celebrate, TJ, E and J all drove far up into the hills of North Georgia to pick apples.

On the drive up, TJ impressed both E and J with some of his newly acquired language skills.  Neither E nor J had realized how much they say, 'Dude' until now.

Lots of little bites out of apples...

TJ felt that some degree of quality control was needed and personally took on the task of testing each apple picked to make sure it was at it's most ripe state.

After demonstrating (multiple times) how well he could do ASL sign for 'tractor', TJ decided that he would help the farmers with some of their routine work around the farm.

It was a great plan until TJ realized that while he is becoming a big boy, he is not quite big enough yet to drive the tractor.

Fortunately the tractor driver was quite happy to have an eager co-pilot.  The tractor ride around the farm was the highlight of the day for TJ!

All that hard work on the farm makes a boy thirsty (and tired!).  So some fresh apple cider on the way home was enjoyed by all!

Current likes:

Chasing Samson

Playing outside

Baby sign language

Music, both playing it and listening to it

Current dislikes:

Sleeping

Teething

Having to come inside

Thanksgiving

TJ's first Thanksgiving and our first Thanksgiving at the new house was an exciting and wonderful day!

TJ enjoyed all the food! He is a great eater - turkey, cornbread, butternut squash, and even cranberry relish (aka red stuff)!

 A delicious time was had by all - even with a turkey hat on!

Some good friends from church joined us and TJ was thrilled that his favorite "older" girlfriend was sitting across the table!

Happy First Thanksgiving TJ! E and J have so much to be thankful for - friends, family, a beautiful new house, and the most perfect bambino in world.

TJ needed to taste test the red stuff (cranberry relish) before dinner - he gave it a thumbs up!

All the food made TJ ready for some exercise - so close to walking!

Happy 8 Months!!!

TJ has become an expert stair climber in the short time we have been at the new house.

Likes: Strawberry applesauce, avocados, scrambled eggs, trying to walk, trying to climb the stairs, splashing in the pool or bathtub, and flirting with the ladies.

Dislikes: naps, failed walking attempts, and not being acknowledged by the ladies.

TJ modeling his new jacket!

Enjoying the Fall weather and the very leafy front yard!

Wondering why the horn will "beep" for E and J...

TJ has become an expert at standing and cruising around the room holding onto furniture, he will be walking very soon!

  TJ's 8 month sticker was lost in the move, hopefully they will be unpacked before 9 month birthday!

Happy Halloween!

TJ was trying to decide between being a minion from Despicable Me or an Ewok. J voted for the Ewok, so E made TJ's Ewok costume!

TJ wasn't too sure about having makeup on his nose or all that stuff on his head, but he did enjoy all the attention he got from church friends!

Tonight everyone walked to a restaurant in the village close to the new house, TJ enjoyed guacamole with his teething biscuits.  He was quite upset once the guac was finished. 

Pumpkin Patch

Saturday E, J, and TJ took a trip south of Atlanta to visit a pumpkin patch! They picked out a carving pumpkin, a baking pumpkin, and Apple Cider!

There were two corn mazes ( the mini one was the chosen one), puppet shows, tractor rides, and  pumpkin shooting!

TJ was going to pick a pumpkin, but became more interested in the pine straw, so E and J choose one instead!